Armada Fania: BOOGALOO......

Christina Morrison, Tessa Makes Love

Tessa Makes Love

Avant-garde artist, Tessa Lena—aka the creative force behind Tessa Makes Love— is a multi-faceted visionary who tests the boundaries of the human condition through her music and character. Tessa offers a world of art, thought, music and sexuality that will challenge your perspective and viewpoint. Like Morpheus offering Neo the choice between the red and blue pill in The Matrix, you're going to have to make a decision when listening to the front-woman's music: convention or liberation? However, if you're willing to go down the rabbit hole with Tessa, you're not going to be sorry.

Born and raised in Moscow, the traditionally trained classical pianist's story reads like a twisted soap opera of self-discovery and narrowly escaped disasters. After being kidnapped by sex-traffickers in China, Tessa made a clean getaway and began a fresh start in the US by starting a band dubbed Schizowave in Chicago, working with Ian McDonald of King Crimson and Foreigner and drummer Alan Lake, who has played and recorded with Madonna, Brian Ferry, Julian Lennon, Ministry, Brian Wilson and Sam Moore from Sam And Dave.

Accused of espionage in Chicago during the Bush administration, Tessa spent a month behind bars in Wisconsin, and fought the charges with eventual success. Following her stint in jail and a series of raucous relationships, Tessa moved to New York in 2008 and met an operatic teacher with whom she trained over the course of 3 years. Experiencing little progress over the first 2 ½ years, she became frustrated until achieving a breakthrough that continues to produce increasing vocal advancements.

In 2012 the Femme Fatale started a new band, Tessa Makes Love, along with David Cornejo and regular collaborations by Ian McDonald. On Stage, Tessa performs in flamboyant outfits and wigs along with her unrestrained presence.